I recently encountered a very distinct and varied facets of the calling and ministry of God. My attention was drawn to the fact that David intentionally placed all these people in different places of service to maintain the worship of God. For Asaph and the Levites, all they did was serve regularly before the Ark and did everything that needed to be done. Obed-Edom and his relatives were gatekeepers; Zadok and the priests offered burnt offerings. Heman and the others were tasked to give God thanks through musical instruments. All these groups of people had a specific task assigned to them to which I believe they carried out with all diligence. Everybody’s task was important to the maintenance of the worship of God.
37 David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve regularly before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, doing whatever needed to be done each day. 38 This group included Obed-edom (son of Jeduthun), Hosah, and sixty-eight other Levites as gatekeepers. 39 Meanwhile, David stationed Zadok the priest and his fellow priests at the Tabernacle of the Lord at the place of worship in Gibeon, where they continued to minister before the Lord. 40 They sacrificed the regular burnt offerings to the Lord each morning and evening on the altar set aside for that purpose, obeying everything written in the Law of the Lord, as he had commanded Israel. 41 David also appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and the others chosen by name to give thanks to the Lord, for “his faithful love endures forever.” 42 They used their trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments to accompany their songs of praise to God. And the sons of Jeduthun were appointed as gatekeepers.
1 Chronicles 16:37-43 (NLT)
For the Levites who served, we are told that they did whatever needed to be done each day. Their regular service reminds of me of the various roles required in the body of Christ. Being placed in a post to do whatever needs to be done, is a very powerful place of worship but at the same time you may be limited to the mundane tasks in the church. This is because usually most people shy away from the trivial and mundane tasks that needs doing in the church. When God has placed you in the church to be the Levite of our time, it takes a committed heart and mind to want to stay in that post. Most times people may never know the good job you have done in the background and you may never be recognised for the service you render. Being placed in a post of serving in this manner is not as attractive as being handed a post to lead in a public eye; but when you are diligent like the Levites you will give it your all for the Glory of God.
Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (AMP)
God has assigned you to your place of service and it may not be the ideal ministry you prefer but remember that whatever the task is, it is very important to God. So the next time you find yourself in a church, look for ways to minister to God, be the Levite of our time and get things done and even if you do not get any human appreciation, remember who gave you your appointment letter straight from your mother’s womb.
The next group who were appointed were the gatekeepers. They were appointed to ensure the smooth running of the worship. In the same vein, God has appointed some people to be gatekeepers in churches. Their role is to ensure the service is running on time and there are no distractions. A gatekeeper is trustworthy and constantly on alert for any signs of trouble. You could be the gatekeeper in your family or workplace. Your prayers for people in your life as a gatekeeper ensures that things happens as they were meant to and that the devil is put in his place. When God puts it on your heart to help or support people, remember you are serving as their gatekeeper. Likewise the Holy Spirit is our gatekeeper and He keeps us from trouble or evil and He also helps us in times of trouble. Work your ministry and know that lives are depending on you to survive, Gatekeeper!
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
The priest offered burnt sacrifices and ensured the commandments of God are obeyed. The Bible says we are a royal priesthood; God has made us priest in our various endeavours. So even though you may not be an official appointed Pastor in your church setting, you are an appointed priest in your life, family, community. As priests in the body of Christ we are constantly offering our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Our lives are meant to reflect the life of JESUS who sought to please His Father in all He did. God requires the same level of commitment and obedience from us. Wear your spiritual priest apparel and cause a shift in your environment!
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Romans 12:1 (NLT)
The last group was appointed to give thanks to God. Who would have thought that coming to the presence of God with a heart of gratitude, singing and worshipping Him was in itself a ministry to God. But it is a ministry because you become a witness to others who may be going through a hard time. I guess in saying this, it confirms the scripture in 1 Corinthians 12.
12 Just as the human body is one, though it has many parts that together form one body, so too is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we all were immersed and mingled into one single body. And no matter our status—whether we are Jews or non-Jews, oppressed or free—we are all privileged to drink deeply of the same Holy Spirit. 18 But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires. 19 A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all! 20 So now we see that there are many differing parts and functions, but one body. 21 It would be wrong for the eye to say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” and equally wrong if the head said to the foot, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, the weaker our parts, the more vital and essential they are.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 18-22 (TPT)
There are many faces to a prism and each face is vital to the overall structure of the prism. You cannot see the whole structure by looking from one side. The other faces of the prism require each other for the prism to be whole. So it is in the human body, each part of the body is vital for the whole functioning of the body and even though we do not see most part of the body, we cannot dismiss them and treat them anyhow but rather we take good care of our whole body. No matter what menial tasks you have been given, be it in a church, at work, family or life in general, seek the face of God in it and ask God to help you excel at it. As the bible says, the less attractive your assignment, the more vital and essential it is to your organisation. Your inputs and service is very vital to life, I mean your very essence in life is important and so work to please your maker.
I know we get caught up in the seven fold ministry and so prophecy, speaking in tongues, apostleship and all the other gifts of spirit are seen as the real ministry but even in the midst of the sevenfold, Paul mentions helping.
Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. 29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (NLT)
Remember like Paul said desire these gifts but if you didn’t get them, it doesn’t make you any lesser than somebody who has them. We are all one and different. We need to honour the people who do not play seemingly significant roles in our lives but their relationship is likely a blessing. Likewise we should be mindful of not looking down on people who do mundane jobs in our churches, workplaces and community because they hold it all together.
God is highlighting the work you do; as His child, a mum, father, brother, sister or friend. Ensure you are being of service in whatever area of life you are in. He gave you the ministry and so you should work it to His glory.
The next time you ask God to use you, be prepared for a ‘whatever needs done’ type of job.
May you be filled with the Fullness of God and the Power of His Love!
